Greater New Orleans

A 26-year-old man was shot in the hand during a struggle. The shooting occurred after a robber pulled a gun on the victim as the victim stopped to retrieve a bag of marijuana that had blown out the window of his vehicle.
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The New Orleans Police Department reported the following crimes from Tuesday (Jan. 7).

Man shot during tussle over bag of marijuana, NOPD says

An unidentified 26-year-old male was shot Tuesday at 1:29 p.m. in a struggle over an errant bag of marijuana, then a struggle over a gun, according to the NOPD. The victim was driving in the 4700 block of America Street, police said, when a "bag of marijuana flew out of the vehicle." Police said another man approached as the victim stopped to grab the bag and pulled a gun. The victim struggled with the assailant over the gun, and was shot in the hand, police said. It is not clear what happened to the marijuana.

As he was getting out of his vehicle, the victim was grabbed from behind by the first assailant, police said. A second assailant pointed a semiautomatic handgun into the victim's face, opened the rear door of the victim's car, and told him to put his property on the rear seat. According to police, the victim complied and the two robbers got into his car and drove away.

Ernest Brooks, 35, was apprehended on suspicion of armed robbery in the 7000 block of Crowder Boulevard, according to the NOPD. The 22-year-old victim told police that Brooks followed him while he was driving, then demanded his property as he got out of his vehicle.

Police said Brooks is being held on charges of probation violation, illegal possession of a weapon by a felon and illegal possession of stolen things, in addition to armed robbery, according to records from the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.

Armed burglars invade Leonidas home

The NOPD said two men armed with handguns broke into a residence in the 8400 block of Apple Street late Tuesday night. One of the burglars struck the 57-year-old resident with his handgun, before the two absconded with a safe and a cellphone.